New Disney World permit shows plans to re-route Floridian Way and raises questions on future expansion near to Magic Kingdom

Gallery / 2 Photos
World Drive Phase III plans including Floridian Way re-routing

Posted: Monday October 18, 2021 10:35am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Disney has filed a new permit with the South Florida Water Management District for the World Drive redevelopment project at Walt Disney World.

The World Drive project has been underway for several years and has brought new flyovers and roadways to improve the traffic passing near the Magic Kingdom and the area resort hotels.

This latest filing shows that Floridan Way will be re-routed across the Oak Trail Golf Course and behind a parking facility for Disney's Grand Floridian Resort. (Thanks to @danlb_2000 on the WDWMAGIC Forums for location the permit)

World Drive Phase III plans including Floridian Way re-routing

Notable, this frees up a piece of land north of Disney's Grand Floridian Resort in very close proximity to Magic Kingdom.

The piece of land that will become available is shown in the yellow circle

It is far too early to suggest that a new resort or an expansion to Disney's Grand Floridian is in immediate plans. Still, the roadway changes mean that Disney may have some long-term plans for that piece of land and need to move Floridian Way to achieve it.

Disney's Grand Floridan Resort overview

Disney sparked new interest in Magic Kingdom area resort possibilities this past summer when a simple barrier and fence installed near the Seven Seas Lagoon suggested that Disney may once again be exploring building on perhaps the most valuable piece of unbuilt land at Disney World near to Disney's Contemporary Resort.

Venetian Resort shown on pre-1971 concept art

Discuss on the Forums

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peter11435Jan 02, 2025

I think that certainly was the case. But as the area to the north and west of WDW continues to grow; and GPS is increasingly guiding guests through this entrance; a rising number of guests are using this entrance.

BrianJan 02, 2025

I don't have any data on this obviously, but I would wager that far more cast members use the north entrance than guests do. I could see a more modest sign, like the one at the Hotel Plaza Blvd entrance being added, if anything, for the sake of the locals/APs who also use it.

castlecake2.0Jan 02, 2025

Also add some foliage to block all that BOH west clock view as you drive in

peter11435Jan 02, 2025

I really hope they finally add one.

castlecake2.0Jan 02, 2025

I wonder if they’ll ever add an archway back there. Right now it feels more like a service entrance to property as you drive past all the MK parking and utilities, but more and more this will become an official entrance to property.

JD80Jan 02, 2025

One of the things I enjoy watching the most is how the WDW as a whole changes over time.

Andrew25Jan 02, 2025

Would have never thought a new hotel between Grand Flo and MK would be possible. Amazing to see the landscape change to allow that. Easy to see it open up (if it's DVC) in 2029 or 2030.

DCBakerJan 01, 2025

Here's an aerial view of the area from bioreconstruct:

PG 134Dec 11, 2024

They started clearing the trees from around the Grand Cast lot to the Fire Station 3 around a month ago. Still need to grind/cut up trees and remove debris before they can continue with adding dirt and such to surfaces like they did with the section between south end of the Grand Cast lot and Shades golf course.

Andrew25Dec 10, 2024

Yes they have, but it's stopped over the last month or so now. Feels like they are waiting for this additional phase to continue.

peter11435Dec 10, 2024

They’ve been slowing using that soil and reducing that hill over the past several months.

Andrew25Dec 10, 2024

Will this finally allow them to use the soil at the center of the MK parking lot to fill in the removed wetlands? The dirt hill at the center of the MK parking lot with the "temporary" construction fence is an ugly site and horrible first impression (then again the entire TTC process is lol)